WWI Era Omega from 1916 with a Guilloche Dial and Original Breguet Hands

Founded in 1848 in Switzerland, Omega has become one of the world's best-known watch brands. Omega produced high-quality wristwatches during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Renowned for its precision and craftsmanship, Omega also created exquisite pocket watches in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, enhancing its reputation as a premier watchmaker.

The original Omega guilloché metal dial is absolutely incredible. The dial features a gilt finish with an intricate pattern at the center. Bold Arabic numerals are framed within golden circles, with additional guilloché detailing between them. The overall layout draws clear inspiration from American railroad watches of the period, particularly with its bold Arabic numerals and outer minute track with bold five-minute indices. Remarkably, the dial shows almost no patina or oxidation and remains in near-mint condition for its age. The original Breguet-style hands have not been restored and retain the heat-blued finish applied by Omega at the time of manufacture. Against the gilt dial, the deep blue hands create exceptional contrast. This Omega timepiece was manufactured in Switzerland and completed in 1916 during World War I. It was built specifically for the American market and features an American-style setting mechanism, making it one of the few Swiss movements we are able to convert. The watch is powered by a robust 17-jewel in-house Omega movement. Decorated ratchet and crown wheels, along with a finely machined swan-neck regulator, showcase the quality of Omega's early manufacturing. Every movement component was carefully restored by hand. The blue accents on the screws and steel hardware were achieved through open-flame thermal coloring using traditional watchmaking techniques (read more here). The gear train, jewel chatons, balance, and balance weights were individually hand-polished to restore their original golden tone while preserving the movement's period-correct appearance. Altogether, this piece represents a fascinating intersection of Swiss and American watchmaking—a Swiss-made Omega manufactured specifically for the American market and preserved more than a century later in remarkable condition.

The timepiece is housed in our 316L stainless steel conversion case, designed with adjustable lugs for easy winding and setting, ensuring a comfortable fit across various wrist sizes. The case is equipped with front, back, and crown gaskets, providing water resistance up to 50 meters, although we recommend removing the watch before water activities. The watch is fully serviced and ready for your upcoming adventures.

Watch Performance

• Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day

• Amplitude: 300 degrees

• Beat Error: 1.5 ms

• Frequency: 18,000 (5 beats per second)

• Power Reserve: 24-30 hours

• Complication: Sub second hand

  
  

Watch Specifications

• Manufacture: Omega

• Location: Switzerland

• Year Manufactured: 1916 (WWI Era)

• Dial Material: Metal

• Jewels: 17 jewels

• Case Diameter: 44 mm

• Front Crystal: Domed AR coated sapphire

• Back Crystal: Flat AR coated sapphire

• Case Material: 316L stainless

• Lug width: 22 mm

• Lug to Lug: Approximately 52 mm (adjusts to wrist size)

• Height: 13 mm

• Serial Number: 5697432

• Water Resistance: 50 meters

• Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty

All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.